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Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil
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Type of Document:
Product Definition and Specification Standards
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Status of Document:
Final
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Version Number:
2.0
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Version Date:
27 October 2014
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Document Reference Code:
IBI-STD-2.0
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NOTE TO USERS: The International Biochar Initiative may update this manual as necessary. Please make sure you are using the latest version available at http://www.biochar-international.org/characterizationstandard. © International Biochar Initiative - October 2014
Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 1
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OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT NOTICE
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This work is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivs 3.0 Unported License attached in Appendix 9. Under this license, you are free: to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work Under the following conditions:
Attribution — You must attribute the work to the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) (but not in any way that suggests that IBI endorses you or your use of the work).
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Non-commercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
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No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
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With the understanding that:
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Waiver— Any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder.
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Public Domain— Where the work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
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Other Rights— In no way are any of the following rights affected by the license:
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Your fair dealing or fair use rights, or other applicable copyright exceptions and limitations;
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The author's moral rights;
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Rights other persons may have either in the work itself or in how the work is used, such as publicity or privacy rights.
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Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 2
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DISCLAIMER
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The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (hereinafter referred to as the IBI Biochar Standards) have been prepared with the intent of providing stakeholders and
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IBI does not make, and hereby specifically disclaims, any representation, warranty, claim, or guarantee regarding biochar tested and characterized according to this document, including but not limited to any representation, warranty, claim, or guarantee relating to the safety or fitness of such biochar for a particular purpose. Independent professional judgment must be exercised when
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IBI does not make, and hereby specifically disclaims, any representation, warranty, claim, or guarantee regarding biochar that has not been tested and characterized according to this document, including but not limited to any representation, warranty, claim, or guarantee relating to the safety or fitness of such biochar for a particular purpose.
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IBI is not a seller of biochar and does not make, and hereby specifically disclaims, any and all representations, endorsements, guarantees, and warranties, express or implied, regarding the use of this document or biochar tested and characterized according to this document, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement of third-party rights. IBI advises consumers of biochar that, from IBI’s perspective, all biochar tested and characterized according to this document is purchased as is and with all faults from the biochar manufacturer.
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IBI expressly disclaims any grant of apparent or actual authority from IBI to manufacturers of biochar tested and characterized according to this document.
commercial entities with standards to identify certain qualities and characteristics of biochar materials according to relevant, reliable, and measurable characteristics. Manufacturers who follow these IBI Biochar Standards do so voluntarily. In no way shall the IBI or its associates be responsible for the use or misuse of information and guidance provided in this document. Anyone making use of this document assumes all liability arising from such use.
producing and using biochar and, IBI makes no representation or warranty as to the safety or quality of biochar tested and characterized according to this document. This document does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this document or the use or production of biochar tested and characterized according to this document. It is the responsibility of the user of this document, and the manufacturers and users or consumers of biochar, to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of any national, state or provincial, and local regulatory limitations prior to use.
Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 3
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No portion of this document is intended for use as a sustainability or production process guideline. Further documentation and guidance is necessary to identify appropriate sustainability practices and/or safe and effective production processes.
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The benefits of a given biochar material vary widely with the material and with crop, soil, and climate factors. This document makes no representations, claims, guarantees, or warranties regarding the potential benefits of any given biochar material in any particular application.
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The IBI Biochar Standards are intended to be revised and updated as the science and body of knowledge surrounding biochar continues to evolve, and, if necessary, to provide technical or other corrections or changes to the IBI Biochar Standards and/or this document. Please ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version found on the website of the International Biochar Initiative: http://www.biochar-international.org/characterizationstandard.
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
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Under no circumstances will IBI be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information obtained from the IBI Biochar Standards. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of this document. In no event shall IBI be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or relating to the IBI Biochar Standards, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, strict liability, or any other legal theory. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for negligence, consequential, incidental, or other damages, in such jurisdictions IBI’s liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law. If you are dissatisfied with any portion of the IBI Biochar Standards, your sole and exclusive remedy is to stop using the IBI Biochar Standards.
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INDEMNITY
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By using the IBI Biochar Standards, you hereby agree to defend and hold IBI harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, settlements, costs, and fees (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs), arising from or allegedly arising from your use or misuse of this document.
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Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 4
Foreword
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The IBI Biochar Standards provide a standardized definition of biochar and biochar characteristics related to the use of biochar as a soil amendment. They have been developed by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) in collaboration with a wide variety of industry and academic experts and through public input on an international level. The IBI Biochar Standards were created to encourage further development of the biochar industry by providing standardized information regarding the characterization of biochar materials to assist in achieving more consistent levels of product quality. In addition to providing product definition and qualitative specification standards, this document has been developed to assist biochar manufacturers in providing consumers with consistent access to credible information regarding qualitative and physicochemical properties of biochar.
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The IBI Biochar Standards are designed to support the IBI Biochar Certification Program. Separately, the IBI Biochar Standards are also intended for use by various national and regional product standards bodies, and national and regional biochar groups for their own local adaptation and use, and as a reference in regulatory situations, as may be appropriate.
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The IBI Biochar Standards were developed as a means of providing information and market certainty about the attributes of biochars for use in soil applications. Ultimately, the use and promotion of these IBI Biochar Standards will build consumer and regulatory confidence about biochar, through the provision of consistent and reliable information regarding biochar properties. Biochar can be made from a variety of feedstocks, using a variety of different production processes, and can possess many different attributes. The consistent reporting of biochar properties will ensure that pertinent information about biochars for use in soil applications is systematically communicated, regardless of feedstock type, production process, or final properties.
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IBI developed the IBI Biochar Standards in a transparent process open to public participation, review, and input. Throughout the development process IBI relied upon the drafting, review, and guidance of experts in the field, ensuring an efficient path from concept to final product, and addressing the needs of a broad range of commercial biochar manufacturers and end users. As the document was developed, public input from the larger international biochar community was continuously sought to provide a wider perspective on the use and functionality of this tool.
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The design of the IBI Biochar Standards follows current best practices and available science. As biochar science continues to improve, the IBI Biochar Standards will be updated in an iterative process in order to remain current. Therefore these IBI Biochar Standards and this document will be periodically revised through further consultation with the international biochar community.
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The IBI Biochar Standards document development process is based on the following guiding principles:
Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 5
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Maintain congruence with best practice guidance for standards development such as International Standards Organization (ISO), ASTM International (ASTM), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE);
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Strictly adhere to process, ensuring efficient and effective collaboration;
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Engage the knowledgeable and diverse stakeholder groups active in the biochar industry;
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Organize independent working groups with broad stakeholder representation, and,
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Rely on IBI infrastructure and capacity for leadership and administration of the initiative.
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The complete record of process documentation, including the list of working group members, can be found on the IBI website at: http://www.biochar-international.org/characterizationstandard.
Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 6
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Table of Contents
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OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT NOTICE
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Foreword
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Scope
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Terms and Definitions
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Biomass Feedstock Material and Biochar Production
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Appendix 1 – Expanded Information on Test Methods for Category B Toxicants Assessment 27
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Appendix 2 – PAH, PCDD/F and PCB Compounds to be Tested
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Appendix 3 – Toxicant Assessment and Determination of Thresholds
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Appendix 4 – Biochar Sampling Procedures
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Appendix 5 – Recommended General Sample Analysis Procedures and Protocols for Specific Tests 37
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Appendix 6 – Determining a “Material Change” in Feedstock
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General Feedstock Material Requirements Best Management Practices for Biochar Production, Material Handling and Storage
Biochar Material Test Categories and Characteristics 4.1 4.2 4.3
Test Category A: Basic Utility Properties Test Category B: Toxicant Assessment Test Category C: Advanced Analysis and Soil Enhancement Properties
General Protocols and Restrictions 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9
Biochar Sampling Procedures Laboratory Standards Timing and Frequency of Testing Material Changes in Feedstock and Thermochemical Production Parameters Category B Testing Frequency Testing Requirements for Weathered Biochar Timing of Testing for Post-Processed Biochar Provisions for High Carbon Biomass Ash Conformity and Record Keeping
Revisions to the IBI Biochar Standards 6.1 6.2
Policy revisions Technical program revisions
References
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Appendix 7 – The Use of H:Corg to Indicate C Stability
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Appendix 8 – Glossary
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Appendix 9 – Creative Commons License
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Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 8
1 Scope
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Issued by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and based on international consultation, this IBI Biochar Standards document is intended to establish a common definition for biochar, and standardized testing and measurement methods for selected physicochemical properties of biochar materials.
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Biochar is a solid material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygenlimited environment. Biochar can be used as a product itself or as an ingredient within a blended product, with a range of applications as an agent for soil improvement, improved resource use efficiency, remediation and/or protection against particular environmental pollution, and as an avenue for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.
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These IBI Biochar Standards provide a standardized definition of biochar and biochar characteristics related to the use of biochar as a soil amendment. They serve as the basis for the IBI Biochar Certification Program, and are intended for use and adaptation to local conditions and regulations by any nation or region. These IBI Biochar Standards support not only baseline safety considerations but also the evolving understanding of the positive functions of biochar in soil. This document does not prescribe appropriate uses for biochar materials, nor provide guidance on what biochar can or should be used for.
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These IBI Biochar Standards relate to the physicochemical properties of biochar only, and do not prescribe production methods or specific feedstocks, nor do they provide limits or terms for defining the sustainability and/or GHG mitigation potential of a biochar material, for the IBI Biochar Certification Program or otherwise.
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Different feedstock types, and hence differentiated testing requirements of biochar, are defined in this guidance document as means for the identification and classification of a range of biochar materials. The testing categories are based upon increasing levels of physicochemical property reporting and not necessarily on increasing levels of biochar performance or quality. The intended audiences for these IBI Biochar Standards include commercial biochar manufacturers, users, regulators, researchers and marketers, as well as the many national and regional biochar affiliates of the IBI. However, the commercial biochar manufacturer is the entity most likely to apply the IBI Biochar Standards, as a label (of differentiation) on its biochar material or product.
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Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 9
2 Terms and Definitions
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A complete list of terms and definitions is found, along with a list of acronyms, in Appendix 8 Glossary. A clear understanding of the defined terms is essential to the proper use of these IBI Biochar Standards. Defined terms are indicated with a double underline in the text on the first instance of the use of that term in the following sections.
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3 Biomass Feedstock Material and Biochar Production 3.1 General Feedstock Material Requirements
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The materials used as feedstocks for biochar production have direct impacts on the nature and quality of the resulting biochar. Although the focus of this document is on the biochar material, some restrictions have been applied to feedstock contents and quality. To qualify as biochar feedstock under these standards, the feedstock may be a combination of biomass and diluents, but may not contain more than 2% by dry weight of contaminants (following Brinton 2000). Any diluents that constitute 10% or more by dry weight of the feedstock material must be reported as a feedstock component.
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Feedstocks are differentiated into two types: unprocessed feedstocks and processed feedstocks, with different requirements for sampling and analysis of potential toxic substances. Suitable feedstocks include but are not limited to biomass residues, which may contain a minimal quantity of contaminants (see above) as part of the feedstock.
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Feedstock that may have been grown on contaminated soils is considered to be a processed feedstock and must meet the toxicant assessment testing frequency requirements for processed feedstocks given in Section 5.5 Category B Testing Frequency.
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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) containing hazardous materials or wastes may not be included as eligible feedstock under these standards. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that biochar feedstock materials are free of hazardous materials.
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NB: Issues of feedstock sustainability are not addressed in this document.
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3.2 Best Management Practices for Biochar Production, Material Handling and Storage
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The IBI Biochar Standards do not prescribe production and handling parameters for biochar, but do include recommended best management practices (BMPs) for safe production and handling. It is the responsibility of the biochar manufacturer to create biochar in a safe manner. IBI recommends that current industry BMPs be followed throughout the production and handling process.
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Local requirements and regulations for the operation of biochar production facilities should be followed. Where applicable, biochar production must comply with local and international regulatory requirements and treaties that govern thermal processes, the production of volatile Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil (aka IBI Biochar Standards) Version 2.0 10
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and particulate emissions, and the transport of goods. Relevant to local and international regulatory compliance, biochar manufacturers should adhere to the following recommended BMPs:
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1) A biochar manufacturer should provide a relevant material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the final output of its biochar production process. Brief outlines of MSDS document creation are available from numerous online sources, including MSDS Search, the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
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2) Biochar should be tested to address the potential for self-heating and flammability during storage and transport. Documentation of the results of this testing should be appended to the MSDS.
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3) To minimize the effects of weathering which can significantly alter the material properties of biochar after it has been tested (see Section 5.6), biochar should be stored indoors in a protected location. If stored outdoors, biochar should be covered with a tarpaulin or other material to protect it from precipitation events.
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While the IBI does not require these practices as part of its definition and certification of biochar (under the IBI Biochar Certification Program) since they do not relate directly to product quality, they are important considerations in good business practices and responsible industrial production. The majority of industrialized nations provide detailed standards, expectations, and regulations governing the manufacturing sector and will have relevant information available to industrial operators.
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4 Biochar Material Test Categories and Characteristics As described in this section, biochar characteristics shall be assessed according to a defined set of test categories intended to provide increasing levels of physicochemical property reporting. Two sets of required test categories to measure basic biochar characteristics that impact soil functions are supplemented with an optional test category for advanced analysis and soil enhancement properties. Toxicant assessment testing is required for all biochars. Increasing levels of physicochemical property testing and reporting do not correspond to increasing levels of biochar performance or quality; rather, the categorization structure is designed to:
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provide a uniform presentation format by which a biochar user would be able to fairly compare and assess the reported properties of different biochar materials;
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provide a set of required tests for basic biochar utility and an optional set of additional tests for measuring advanced analysis and soil enhancement properties; and
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require toxicant reporting appropriate to the potential risks associated with both unprocessed and processed feedstocks. Increased testing frequency is required to attain
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quality assurance for processed feedstocks, which carry a higher potential risk of contamination.
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Each test category was developed according to an assessment of the relevant parameters for biochar properties and safety, balanced against cost and accessibility.
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These IBI Biochar Standards identify three categories of tests for biochar materials:
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Test Category A – Basic Utility Properties: Required for all biochars. This set of tests measures the most basic properties required to assess the utility of a biochar material for use in soil.
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Test Category B – Toxicant Assessment: Required for all biochars. Biochars made from processed feedstocks must be tested more frequently than biochars made from unprocessed feedstocks, as defined in Section 5 General Protocols and Restrictions.
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Test Category C – Advanced Analysis and Soil Enhancement Properties: Optional for all biochars. Biochar may be tested for advanced analysis and enhancement properties in addition to meeting test requirements for Test Categories A and B. All tests in Test Category C are optional. Manufacturers may report on none, one, some or all of the properties.
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Further details on each of the test categories are provided in Sections 4.1 through 4.3.
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4.1 Test Category A: Basic Utility Properties All biochars must be tested for basic utility properties and meet the criteria specified under Test Category A, as shown in Table 1 below. Basic biochar characteristics include the physical properties of particle size and moisture, as well as the chemical properties of elemental proportions [Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), and Nitrogen (N)], ash proportion, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH/liming ability. Organic carbon (Corg) content is used to assign the biochar material to one of three classes depending on the percentage of Corg in the material and representing the range of Corg contents typical of biochar materials. Carbon stability is indicated by the molar ratio of hydrogen to organic carbon. Lower values of this ratio are correlated with greater carbon stability. See Appendix 7 The Use of H:Corg to Indicate C Stability for more information on this analysis.
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Table 1. Test Category A Parameters, Criteria, and Test Methods.
Test Category A: Basic Utility Properties (Required for All Biochars) Parameter Moisture
Criteria1
Unit
Declaration
% of total mass, dry basis
Test Method2 ASTM D1762-84 Standard Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Wood Charcoal (specify measurement date with respect to time from production)
10% Minimum Organic Carbon (Corg)
Class 1: ≥60% Class 2: ≥30%
% of total mass, dry basis
and
